The best butter for the carnivore diet is Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter. Kerrygold lists milk from grass-fed cows and an ingredient deck of only pasteurized milk and salt. The 8 oz pack costs $4.68.
If you want the lowest price per ounce, Organic Valley is the better choice at about $0.35. If you want cultured butter with 82% butterfat, Vermont Creamery is the better choice. If you avoid milk solids, 4th & Heart, Spring Sunrise, and Kevala ghee are the better choices.
Karen and I coach clients to build habits instead of relying on willpower. If the right food is already in the pantry, you make one good decision when you shop instead of having to make the same difficult decision every time you get hungry. Every product below was purchased by us, opened by us, and personally tested before being ranked. Our testing protocol explains the criteria we use and how we assign scores within each category.
Our coaching business is connected to the Trilivy program, but the product recommendations in this article are independently ours. No product manufacturer or sponsor tells us what to include, how to rank a product, or what we are allowed to criticize. If one of our recommendations turns out to be disappointing, the responsibility is ours because the recommendation came from our own evaluation rather than from a paid partnership or sponsor agreement. Below are the top 6 best butters for the carnivore diet, tested and compared, from $4.68 to $28.99.
- Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter, 8 oz
- Organic Valley Salted Organic Butter, 1 lb
- Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter Sea Salt, 8 oz
- 4th & Heart Original Grass Fed Ghee, 9 oz
- Spring Sunrise Grass-Fed Organic Ghee, 16 oz
- Kevala Grass Fed Ghee, 2 lb
1. Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter, 8 oz
Kerrygold sells Pure Irish Butter made with milk from grass-fed cows. Kerrygold lists a clean ingredient deck of pasteurized milk and salt. The listing states no artificial additives. The 8 oz pack costs $4.68.
What we liked: We like that the ingredient deck stays short, with only milk and salt. One keto and carnivore eater says they cook everything in it and love it on steaks and eggs. One keto dieter disliked the strong, farm-like taste, so test a stick first.
About the Brand: Kerrygold is an Irish dairy brand that also sells cheese made from grass-fed cow milk.
Availability: Kerrygold is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 8 oz pack costs $4.68.
Pros:
- Milk from grass-fed cows
- Only pasteurized milk and salt listed
- Low price at $4.68 for 8 oz
Cons:
- Salted, so unsalted needs a separate pack
- Strong flavor splits reviewer opinion
Recommendation: Choose Kerrygold if you want grass-fed butter with a two-item ingredient deck at a low price.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Kerrygold |
| Size | 8 oz |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk and salt |
| Source | Milk from grass-fed cows |
| Average Price | $4.68 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
2. Organic Valley Salted Organic Butter, 1 lb
Organic Valley sells a one pound pack of salted organic butter, four sticks in all. Organic Valley makes the butter with organic cream from pasture-raised cows. The listing states no GMOs, antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, or toxic pesticides. The pack costs $5.53, about $0.35 per ounce.
What we liked: We like that the pack costs about $0.35 per ounce, the lowest butter price here. Reviewers call the flavor smooth and rich. One tasting panel found mostly neutral fat flavor with plenty of salt.
About the Brand: Organic Valley is a farmer-owned brand that sells only organic dairy.
Availability: Organic Valley shows limited stock on Amazon as of this review. The one pound pack costs $5.53.
Pros:
- Organic cream from pasture-raised cows
- Four sticks in one pound
- About $0.35 per ounce
Cons:
- Some buyers dislike the pale color
- Some buyers dislike a recipe change that ended the cultured version
- Limited stock at review time
Recommendation: Choose Organic Valley if you want organic butter at the lowest price per ounce.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Organic Valley |
| Size | 1 lb, four sticks |
| Source | Organic cream from pasture-raised cows |
| Price per Ounce | About $0.35 |
| Average Price | $5.53 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
3. Vermont Creamery Cultured Butter Sea Salt, 8 oz
Vermont Creamery sells cultured butter in two 4 oz sticks with sea salt. Vermont Creamery cultures the cream overnight and then churns it slowly. The listing states 82% butterfat. The pack costs $4.70.
What we liked: We like the higher butterfat, which the listing says helps with flakier baking and better steak searing. One professional baker with 30 years of experience calls it phenomenal butter. Other reviewers describe notes of buttermilk and hazelnut.
About the Brand: Vermont Creamery has been a Certified B Corp since 2014 and makes its butter in Vermont.
Availability: Vermont Creamery shows limited stock on Amazon as of this review. The two-stick pack costs $4.70.
Pros:
- 82% butterfat
- Cultured for richer flavor
- Two 4 oz sticks for $4.70
Cons:
- Listing does not name the cows' diet
- Tangy cultured flavor suits some eaters less
Recommendation: Choose Vermont Creamery if you want cultured butter with a higher butterfat content.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Vermont Creamery |
| Size | 8 oz, two sticks |
| Type | Cultured, sea salt |
| Butterfat | 82% |
| Average Price | $4.70 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
4. 4th & Heart Original Grass Fed Ghee, 9 oz
4th & Heart sells grass-fed ghee, a clarified butter, in a 9 oz jar. The listing states 100% butter fat and no seed oils. 4th & Heart states the ghee is lactose and casein free. The jar costs $9.48.
What we liked: We like that dairy-sensitive eaters get butter fat with the milk solids removed. Reviewers describe smooth, non-grainy ghee with a rich flavor. Walmart shoppers rate the original recipe 4.5 stars across 345 reviews.
About the Brand: 4th & Heart sells ghee in several flavors, including vanilla bean and Himalayan pink salt.
Availability: 4th & Heart is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 9 oz jar costs $9.48.
Pros:
- 100% butter fat
- Lactose and casein free
- Shelf stable without refrigeration
- High smoke point
Cons:
- About $1.05 per ounce, above the butter sticks
- Clarified butter lacks the creamy milk taste of churned butter
Recommendation: Choose 4th & Heart if you want a well reviewed ghee in a small jar.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | 4th & Heart |
| Size | 9 oz jar |
| Type | Grass-fed ghee |
| Butter Fat | 100% |
| Average Price | $9.48 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
5. Spring Sunrise Grass-Fed Organic Ghee, 16 oz
Spring Sunrise sells organic grass-fed ghee in a 16 oz glass jar. The listing states a smoke point of up to 485°F. Spring Sunrise lists organic clarified butter with no additives or preservatives. The jar costs $21.59.
What we liked: We like the short label of organic clarified butter. The Iowa maker sources its butter from American farms. One reviewer calls it the best tasting cooking fat they tried.
About the Brand: Spring Sunrise is an Iowa company that has made ghee since 1992.
Availability: Spring Sunrise is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 16 oz jar costs $21.59.
Pros:
- Certified organic and grass-fed
- Highest smoke point listed here
- Shelf stable in a glass jar
Cons:
- About $1.35 per ounce, the highest here
- Ghee lacks the milk flavor of true butter
Recommendation: Choose Spring Sunrise if you want organic ghee for high heat cooking.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Spring Sunrise |
| Size | 16 oz glass jar |
| Type | Organic grass-fed ghee |
| Smoke Point | Up to 485°F |
| Average Price | $21.59 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
6. Kevala Grass Fed Ghee, 2 lb
Kevala sells grass-fed ghee in a 2 lb size. Kevala makes the ghee from grass-fed butter, gently clarified to remove milk solids. The listing states no additives or preservatives. The 2 lb size costs $28.99.
What we liked: We like that the 2 lb size costs about $0.91 per ounce, the lowest ghee price here. Reviewers praise the nutty flavor and creamy texture. Walmart shoppers rate it 4.7 stars across 120 reviews.
About the Brand: Kevala is a ghee brand sold through Amazon and Walmart.
Availability: Kevala is in stock on Amazon as of this review. The 2 lb size costs $28.99.
Pros:
- About $0.91 per ounce
- Lactose and casein free
- High smoke point
Cons:
- Listing names keto and low-carb, not carnivore
- Highest total price on this list
Recommendation: Choose Kevala if you cook with ghee daily and want the lowest ghee price per ounce.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Kevala |
| Size | 2 lb |
| Type | Grass-fed ghee |
| Price per Ounce | About $0.91 |
| Average Price | $28.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
What Should You Look for in Butter for the Carnivore Diet?
Butter falls in a gray area of the carnivore diet because it comes from milk. Some followers include butter and cheese, and others avoid dairy entirely. Our carnivore diet guide explains the strict and flexible versions of the plan.
Start with the source. Kerrygold lists milk from grass-fed cows, and Organic Valley lists cream from pasture-raised cows. Vermont Creamery does not name the cows' diet in its listing.
Next, read the ingredient deck. Kerrygold lists only pasteurized milk and salt, which suits a meat-first plan. Ghee removes the milk solids, so 4th & Heart, Spring Sunrise, and Kevala list lactose and casein free.
Finally, compare price per ounce, not pack price. The butters here cost about $0.35 to $0.59 per ounce. The ghee jars cost about $0.91 to $1.35 per ounce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butter for the Carnivore Diet
What is the best butter for the carnivore diet?
Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter ranks first here. Kerrygold lists grass-fed milk and only milk and salt as ingredients.
Is butter allowed on the carnivore diet?
Many followers include butter because it comes from animals. Strict followers avoid all dairy, so decide based on your own rules.
Should you choose salted or unsalted butter?
Salted butter adds flavor to steaks and eggs. Unsalted butter gives you control over sodium, so choose it if you season separately.
Is ghee better than butter on the carnivore diet?
Ghee removes milk solids, so it suits eaters who react to lactose or casein. Churned butter keeps the creamy milk flavor and costs less per ounce.
Is Kerrygold good for the carnivore diet?
Kerrygold lists milk from grass-fed cows and only milk and salt. Taste varies, because one reviewer found the flavor too strong.
Does grass-fed butter matter?
Grass-fed claims describe how the cows eat. Kerrygold and Organic Valley both state a grass or pasture source, while Vermont Creamery does not.
Can you put butter in coffee on the carnivore diet?
Some followers do, and others avoid coffee entirely. Check how strict your plan is before you add butter to a drink.
Final Word
Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter ranks first on this list. Kerrygold lists grass-fed milk and only milk and salt, and the 8 oz pack costs $4.68. For narrower needs, choose Organic Valley, Vermont Creamery, 4th & Heart, Spring Sunrise, or Kevala.
Whichever butter you choose, check the source, the ingredient deck, and the price per ounce before you buy. Then confirm any big diet change with your doctor, because that check matters more than any brand.
